The 2010s are no more, but we can look back fondly at some of the outstanding comics from the decade. This list is restricted to one comic per year, so some comics that I love, like Thor: Goddess of Thunder, won’t be on the list. I will also not talk about anything mentioned in past articles, so books like Green River Killer and Harleen won’t be mentioned.
2010: Kase-san and Morning Glories by Hiromi Takashima
There may be a lack of mechs, monsters, and magical girls, but this manga had me hooked with its sickeningly sweet romance and adorable art. Hiromi Takashima’s slice of life story follows the budding romance between two teen girls – one who is just coming into her queerness. Seeing our protagonist, Yamada, realize she is gay, accept it, and embrace it is incredibly powerful, especially for young, queer readers. The manga also swaps out unnecessary drama in favor of a heartwarming story about honesty, open communication, and self improvement. This is a must read for anyone in need of a good love story and for anyone looking for an uplifting tale about self yourself.
2011: Giant Days by John Allison, Art by Lissa Triman and Max Sarin
This comic nails what my friends and I experienced in college. The love, humor, and loyalty Susan, Esther, and Daisy have for one another captures the sentiment so many of us hold for our closest friends. It’s no surprise the first issue started off as a webcomic as the comedy is reminiscent of other online stories turned published books (Little Moments of Love by Catana Comics and Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal for example). With characters that feel like you’ve known them since childhood and humor that reminds me of cartoons like Bob’s Burgers and Gravity Falls, this comic leaves you smiling.
2012: My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf
Growing up, my friends and I did what most girls do late at night: read about serial killers. Years later, that fascination is as strong as ever, and My Friend Dahmer indulges my peculiar interest. Based on the Derf Backderf’s high school life with Jeffrey Dahmer, this personal account elevates the story beyond the more clinical takes on the notorious killer. Backderf empathizes with Dahmer’s rough home life and suppressed sexuality. However, he emphasizes that these things are not be to blame for his horrific acts. Dahmer is held accountable for his crimes as are the adults for their lack of action. It’s refreshing to get the background of a killer without him becoming the tragic “hero” of the story. Backderf’s highly stylized, uncomfortable art also highlights the horror of not realizing someone you know can become a monster.
2013: Hawkeye by Matt Fraction, Art by David Aja
My first year of college was my first year reading comics, and it all started with Hawkeye. This comic had me hooked on the medium because of how accessible the formatting was. David Aja’s artwork is simplistic and conveyed the core of the story without any words needed. Fraction’s words elevated the narrative even further, adding a touch of dry humor that continues to make me laugh. This comic was also my introduction to Kate Bishop – one of my favorite Marvel heroes. It is refreshing to see a dynamic between a man and woman that neither romanticizes their relationship nor puts Kate in a lesser position than Clint. Overall this comic reminds me why I love superheroes. Heart defines a superhero, not their powers, and there is no lack of heart in Fraction and Aja’s run.
2014: Black Widow by Nathan Edmonson, Art by Phil Noto
Based on the art alone, Phil Noto’s Black Widow is my favorite version of the character. There’s a beautiful, water color feel to his artwork. The use of warm, autumn colors match the nostalgic tone of a story that deals with confronting one’s past. However, the empowering way he draws Natasha is what sells this art. It is a breath of fresh air to see realistic proportions, practical uniforms, and poses that emphasize strength and skill over sex appeal. Then there is Edmonson’s story, which captures what I love about Natasha. She’s not a perfect hero, especially in this comic. She’s a complicated woman with a tortured past. Edmonson and Noto give us a Black Widow who’s as emotionally compelling as she is badass.
2015: Lady Killer by Joelle Jones
Walking into Rose City Comic Con 2015, I was met with banner of a woman in a vintage dress mopping up a kitchen covered in blood while giving us a devilish smile. It was love at first sight. Then I read the comic, and I further fell for Joelle Jones’s violent, pinup-style art and her unapologetic, tongue-in-cheek killer. While we’ve seen plenty of superheroes living a double life in comics, it is fun to see that concept re-imagined. How does one manage being a housewife with twins and an assassin with more than a few enemies? It may not be easy, but Josie finds a way to do it with class and grit. For murderinos in need of bloody good time, Jones has you covered with Lady Killer.
2016: Snotgirl by Brian Lee O’Malley, art by Leslie Hung
She’s selfish, materialistic, rude, and I love the horrible person that is Lottie Person. It’s fun to follow a flawed protagonist, but it’s more fun to see them grow. While we see Lottie become a better friend, she’s still hilarious and stuck in her own fantasy. Lottie’s fantasy is also delightful to be in, even when it takes a turn for the paranormal and criminal. Brian Lee O’Malley is great at putting realistic, complex, and terrible people in outlandish settings, as seen in Scott Pilgrim vs the World. Meanwhile, Leslie Hung’s romantic, stylish, and cartoonish art compliments Lottie’s designer personality. These two are a powerhouse, and I look forward to buying volume three next year.
2017: Motor Crush by Babs Tarr, Cameron Stewart, and Brenden Fletcher
While getting my copy of Batgirl of Burnside signed, I saw the creative team’s latest project – Motor Crush – and knew I needed to get my hands on it. If it had an inkling of what I loved about Batgirl – complex femme heroes, a pastel and neon color pallet, and glamorous illustrations – I knew I would love this comic. Motor Crush has all of this and much more. It has a melodramatic, interracial queer romance, an illegal race scene staring over the top gangs, and a plot that goes further into the science fiction genre with each chapter. My favorite thing about this comic is how the art emphasizes beauty and strength. When I look at these women, I feel empowered. They’re smart, sexy, strong, sensual, and sympathetic. Words cannot express my excitement for the third volume coming out next year.
2018: Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal
What started as a string of webcomics lead to one of my favorite books of all time. With a simple premise – men have gone extinct – and a simple art style reminiscent of Adventure Time, Aminder Dhaliwal explores the humanity of her quirky characters to their fullest extent. As a result we have the rare positive post-apocalyptic narrative. This is a world where societal hierarchies have vanished in favor of community and open communication. The comedy of the comic feeds into the overall uplifting message of the story. The jokes are never ill willed. They’re situational, absurdist, and dry. If I am having a rough day, I know Woman World will still get a smile out of me.
2019: Raven by Kami Garcia, art by Gabriel Picolo
For some time I’ve followed Gabriel Picolo on Instagram because he does amazing fan art of the Teen Titans. What stands out about his work is that it focuses on the Titans’ lives outside of crime fighting, capturing the beautiful moments of being a teen. When I heard he was brought on for Raven, I knew they had the perfect artist. Raven is a book that sees the titular character for who she really is – a teen girl trying to figure out who she is. Young and old readers can relate to her growth while also enjoying the supernatural elements scattered throughout the narrative.
This decade introduced me to comics. It’s the decade where I took the plunge into pursuing storytelling as a career. It’s the decade where meet a community of artists, writers, and nerds who become some of my best friends. The comics of the 2010s have had a huge impact on me and many others, and I can’t wait to see what the roaring 20s have in store for us, whether that’s with the continuation of Motor Crush and Snotgirl or Garcia and Picolo’s newest project, Beast Boy.
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